Blue Mind (Little, Brown & Company, 2014)

The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, & Better at What You Do

"You’ll read it once and then come back to it time and again as you begin to realize how your love for water has always shaped your decisions, feelings, behavior, choices and lifestyle." - Washington Post

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Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, he shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success.

Blue MInd not only illustrates the crucial importance of our connection to water-it provides a paradigm shifting "blueprint" for a better life on this Blue Marble we call home.

"Blue Mind is deep down about human curiosity, knowing ourselves more. If J. weren’t curious, we wouldn’t be where we are now. The sea, once it casts its spell, does indeed hold us in its net of wonder forever. People do protect what they love. Why are these the two simple ideas we repeat so often? Because they’re true." ---Celine Cousteau

"Professional ocean lovers, wounded warriors, hopeful parents of an autistic child, masters of the universe, listless managers, marginal performers, and overachievers: if your time on our planet needs less stress and more happiness, find your way to Nichols' "Blue Mind" for the surprisingly simple and joyous ways water can change your life." ---Timothy Dykman, Ocean Revolution

"Every conservation movement requires sound science and effective communication. Neuro-conservation skillfully utilizes the insight of neuroscience to accomplish both of these goals. Already, Nichols' work is sending ripples throughout the world." ---Bay Nature Magazine

"Nichols insists on a more experiential brand of activism, encouraging individuals to encounter the oceans directly, in order to build personal and emotional connections--to get their feet wet." ---GQ Magazine

"The Ocean does not need us to be "Aware" of global warming, depleted fisheries, dying coral reefs and ocean acidification. The Ocean needs us to act. If we want to create sustainable positive action we need to make the ocean connection personal. J has known for years that the ocean is wrapped in more nostalgia and positive emotion than our fondest childhood memories, and how we feel about the ocean impacts how we think and act towards the environment. Blue Mind shares personal stories from around the world against a backdrop of neurological and psychological research that re-inforces the powerful connection the ocean has on our emotional well-being and conversely the enormous positive impact we need to have on the water that calls to us all." ---Bruckner Chase, Ocean Advocate and Endurance Waterman

About the Author

Wallace "J." Nichols, Ph.D., is a research associate at the California Academy of Sciences and founder/co-director of OceanRevolution.org, SEEtheWILD.org, and LiVBLUE.org. His work has been broadcast on NPR, BBC, PBS, National Geographic and Animal Planet and featured in Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside, Fast Company, Scientific American, and New Scientist. He lives in California with his partner Dana and two daughters.